Classical conditioning in the cat as a function of the CS-US interval

Classical leg flexion conditioning was studied in 24 cats using CS-US intervals of 250, 500, 1000 and 2000 msec. and 100 CS-US pairings. Learning, as evidenced by a significant positive slope of the function relating anticipatory flexion to trials, could be demonstrated only with the 250 and 500 msec. intervals. The 500 msec. CS-US appeared optimal, yielding 99% CRs at the end of 100 trials. Final response levels of 58%, 42% and 33% were recorded for the 250, 1000 and 2000 msec. groups, respectively. Comparison of these results with those of other studies of conditioning of overt responses in mammals (including man) indicates that, in the case of discrete adaptive responses, the functions relating CS-US interval to levels of conditioning are essentially similar. However, when diffuse preparatory responses are studied, other relationships may apply.

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